Best Subwoofer under $500 For Home Setup

Last Updated on March 8, 2023

When good is a good music system like turntables if you do not pair it with a subwoofer? The subwoofer has become somewhat a necessity when it comes to home theatre system, especially if you want to belt out sounds from your turntable or even your home theatre system. Bearing in mind that not all subwoofers can provide the kind of bass that you will need, you will hence need to be mindful of the choice that you make.

Subwoofers are in commonplace these days. From the regular 2.1 or 5.1 systems to integrated subwoofers in soundbars, your choice of a subwoofer will really determine the quality of sound that you would expect. Of course, pairing it with a good pair of speakers will be important too.

Not all expensive subwoofers are good, and not all cheap subwoofers are bad. As such, we have narrowed down a range of the cost of subwoofers that will not break your bank, yet they will be able to provide the bass that you desperately crave for. In particular, we will be looking at the best subwoofer under $500 for a home setup system.

Top 6 Subwoofer Under $500 That Will Please Your Ears

#1: SVS SB-1000 Subwoofer (Black Ash) – 12-inch Driver, 300-Watts RMS, Sealed Cabinet
#2: Klipsch Reference R-112SW Subwoofer
#3: Polk Audio 10 Inches 200 Watts Home Theater Subwoofer
#4: Pioneer Elite SW-E10 Andrew Jones 300-Watt Powered Subwoofer
#5: Klipsch Reference R-10SW 10″ 300w Powered Subwoofer
#6: Polk Audio PSW10 10-Inch Powered Subwoofer (Bestseller for Subwoofer on Amazon!)

SVS SB-1000 Subwoofer

Coming in first in our list of best subwoofers under $500 is the SVS SB-1000 Subwoofer. Known to have a solid strong bass for a 13″ subwoofer, the SVS SB-1000 will provide the best value out of your budget. It is able to package a punch despite its small size, which is something most homeowners will crave for, especially that most homes are small in size now.

It contains the high-excursion 12-inch drives that help to deliver massive sound pressure levels (SPL) that is needed to have the extra oomph during those high action movies scenes. The SB-1000 is rated at 300 Watts RMS with a peak power of 720 Watts.

Here are some of the key stats of the SVS SB-1000.

As per the stats above, you will be receiving a high quality, bass bursting subwoofer, and all for a price lower than $500!

 

Klipsch Reference R-112SW Subwoofer, Black

We all know the quality that Klipsch regularly gives to us. Hence, when they produce a subwoofer in the Klipsch Reference R-112SW Subwoofer, naturally the quality is equally good. If you are concerned about the price, you will be amazed to know that the subwoofer by Klipsch will not break the bank at all.

The Reference R-112SW subwoofer works well when it confined spaces, and it will be able to bring out the best effects from the movie that you are watching from Netflix, or even from your Bluray players. All those massive explosions from the Fast and Furious franchise will be heard loud and clear. Just try not to let the neighbors call the cops in on explosions being heard.

What we love about this subwoofer is the ability to produce exception bass at a comparatively lower price. The spun copper front-firing cerametallic woofers are specifically designed to be able to be light, yet being able to have a lower frequency response. This means lesser distortion or breaking up of sound.

Here are some of the key stats of Klipsch Reference R-112SW.

For the uninitiated, you will never be able to find a subwoofer of a similar spec but with a price lower than this!

 

Polk Audio 10 Inches 200 Watts Home Theater Subwoofer

The Polk Audio 10 Inches 200 Watts Home Theater Subwoofer is one of the best that Polk Audio has ever done up. And considering the low price to enter the subwoofer market, it is pretty amazing how Polk Audio has come this far in terms of penetrating the audio market with their awesome yet affordable products.

The powerful and clean bass can be heard throughout the environment, no matter where you decide to place the subwoofer. It sound and bass reverb through the air, and some reviewers commented that they can see the chair vibrating too. The down-firing port on the bottom helps in projecting the bass clearly and cleaner through the room.

Here are some of the key stats of the Polk Audio 10 Inches 200 Watts Home Theater Subwoofer .

It really helps that the design is different from most other subwoofers too. The sleek subwoofer does come in three colours for you to choose from.

 

Pioneer Elite SW-E10 Andrew Jones 300-Watt Powered Subwoofer

Being one of the pioneer (no pun intended) in the sound industry, the Pioneer Elite SW-E10 Andrew Jones 300-Watt Powered Subwoofer certainly lives up to its hype. Do a quick search on Google, and you will receive many favorable reviews about this awesome subwoofer that cost below $500!

With many rave reviews about the SW-E10, we just had to test it out ourselves. When we played Infinity War, we could really hear the dialogue as well as explosions clearly. The sound is so clear, that you can literally feel the floor shake when the explosions come about. Of course, if you want to go for super clear music, then this might not be your choice. But given that it worked extremely well when it comes to dialogue in the movies, this will work out for many people too.

Here are some of the key stats of the Pioneer Elite SW-E10 Andrew Jones 300-Watt Powered Subwoofer.

The solid bass is being coupled by the simplistic design, hence fitting well with the decor of most places.

 

Klipsch Reference R-10SW 10″ 300w Powered Subwoofer

Another top subwoofer under 500 by Klipsch, the Klipsch Reference R-10SW 10″ 300w Powered Subwoofer indeed cost lesser than $300 as there is a sale going on right now.

The Klipsch subwoofer is a toned down version of the Klipsch Reference R-112SW Subwoofer. But that does not mean that you can’t get the best value out of this subwoofer. It has the 10″ copper-spun front-firing woofer which will generate the bass that will bring out the sounds in your movies.

When we tested this, the dialogue, as well as the music, could be heard clear enough in a small room. We have yet to test this in a bigger setting, but our suspicion is that it will not be adequate if you place this in a larger room.

Here are some of the key stats of the Klipsch Reference R-10SW 10″ 300w Powered Subwoofer.

The solid bass is being coupled by the simplistic design, hence fitting well with the decor of most places.

 

Polk Audio PSW10 10-Inch Powered Subwoofer

After doing our research on the best subwoofer that cost under $500 for a home setup system, our research brought us to the Polk Audio PSW10 10-Inch Powered Subwoofer. It cost under $100 at the point of writing, and we are amazed at the power of this subwoofer as well as the overall quality of the design and build.

It uses a 10′ subwoofer with a built-in amp that allows the bass to be amplified through the room. Together with the resonance-free dynamic balance materials that are incorporated into the design of the driver, you can be assured that all music, as well as sounds from movies, will be loud and clear. It is said that Polk Audio is able to reproduce the same sound, even at higher volumes. This is unlike many of the other subwoofers, as the sound might crack when it gets too loud.

Here are some of the key specs of the  Polk Audio PSW10 10-Inch Powered Subwoofer.

While the power rating is much lower than any of the subwoofer that we have reviewed, the power is just nice for a home-sized hall or even something larger. Hence, if you have a smaller unit, we suggest you to purchase the Polk Audio PSW10.

 

Subwoofer Buying Guide

Now that you have a list of the best subwoofers under $500, here are some factors that you need to consider when buying a subwoofer for your home audio setup:

Room Size

The size of your room is an important factor to consider when choosing a subwoofer. Larger rooms require larger subwoofers to produce adequate sound output. If you have a small room, a 6-inch or 8-inch subwoofer may suffice. However, if you have a larger room, you may need a 10-inch or 12-inch subwoofer to produce enough bass. Keep in mind that a subwoofer that is too small for your room may produce weak and underwhelming bass, while a subwoofer that is too large may produce overpowering and distorted bass.

Driver Size

The size of the driver is another important factor to consider when choosing a subwoofer. A larger driver produces deeper and more powerful bass. A 6-inch or 8-inch driver is suitable for smaller rooms, while a 10-inch or 12-inch driver is ideal for larger rooms. Keep in mind that a larger driver may require a more powerful amplifier to produce the best sound.

Amplifier Power

The power of the amplifier determines how loud the subwoofer can go without distorting. Higher power amplifiers produce louder and clearer sound output. When choosing a subwoofer, look for one that has an amplifier that matches the power of the subwoofer’s driver. A subwoofer with a weak amplifier may produce distorted sound, while a subwoofer with an overpowered amplifier may damage the driver.

Frequency Response

The frequency response determines the range of frequencies the subwoofer can produce. A wider frequency response produces more accurate and detailed sound. When choosing a subwoofer, look for one that has a low-frequency response of at least 20Hz, which is the lower limit of human hearing. A subwoofer with a wider frequency response can produce more accurate and detailed sound, but keep in mind that a wider frequency response may also require a more powerful amplifier.

FAQs

1. Do I need a subwoofer for my home audio setup?

A subwoofer is not a necessity, but it greatly enhances the audio experience by reproducing low-frequency sounds that regular speakers cannot produce.

2. What size subwoofer should I get for my room?

The size of the subwoofer depends on the size of your room. Larger rooms require larger subwoofers to produce adequate sound output.

3. What is the difference between a passive and powered subwoofer?

A passive subwoofer requires an external amplifier to produce sound, while a powered subwoofer comes with a built-in amplifier.

Conclusion

Investing in a good subwoofer is essential for a home audio setup that delivers a rich and immersive sound experience. The subwoofers listed above offer great value for money and are perfect for those who are on a budget.

When choosing a subwoofer, make sure to consider the factors mentioned in the buying guide and your personal preferences to make an informed decision.

So, which subwoofer under $500 caught your attention? Let us know in the comments below!